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Kentucky Wildcats fight back, stay unbeaten in Bahamas

1:19 a.m. EDT August 17, 2014

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Bahamas7: University of Kentucky freshman point guard Tyler Ulis shares a laugh with teammates Dakari Johnson and Alex Poythress during a break against the Puerto Rico national team at the Big Blue Bahamas tour in Nassau, Bahamas, August 10, 2014. Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier-Journal(Photo: Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier-Journal)Buy Photo

NASSAU, Bahamas – After breezing through the Bahamas in its first four exhibition games here, the University of Kentucky basketball team finally found itself in a tight game Saturday. The Wildcats weren't crisp offensively, played their worst defense of the week and faced a French professional team clearly motivated to avenge a 23-point beating five days earlier.

Kentucky trailed Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket at halftime — a first on this trip — and led by just three with three minutes to go. But the Cats clamped down, led by freshman point guard Tyler Ulis, and held on for a 77-72 victory to stay unbeaten in the Bahamas.

"We actually needed a test. This was good for us. We're learning a lot about our team, and maybe as important, they're learning a lot about themselves," said UK assistant coach Barry "Slice" Rohrssen, who took his turn leading the team while head coach John Calipari watched from the top row of bleachers for the fourth consecutive game. "When you play someone again so quickly — and (given) the result that we had in the first game — you don't want their pride to beat any arrogance we may have. And we needed to guard against that."

Kentucky basketball assistant coach Barry "Slice" Rohrssen said the Cats needed the test a French professional team gave them Saturday. Aug. 16, 2014 (Kyle Tucker)

Whatever needs guarding from now on, perhaps the Cats should consider putting the 5-9 Ulis on it.

He swarmed his man, swiped a steal and coasted in for the clinching layup with 1:08 to go Saturday. Ulis also hit both his 3-pointers and finished with 12 points, three assists and a pair of steals. He also forced a five-second violation and generally pestered the French guards.

"That's what he does. He wears you down," Rohrssen said. "He's got quick feet and a big heart, Tyler Ulis. He's going up against somebody that has a lot more games under his belt, but Tyler has a big heart and he made a big play. He stayed yard for yard, foot for foot, inch for inch, and disrupted their offense."

It's notable that Ulis was in the game. He has played exclusively on the second unit as the Cats have stuck with two distinct five-man groups, playing nearly equal minutes, throughout the trip. But with three minutes to go and the game on the line, Rohrssen went to a mix-and-match lineup: starters Andrew and Aaron Harrison and Dakari Johnson and second-team guys Ulis and Marcus Lee.

"I didn't want to get voted off the island," said Rohrssen, UK's newest assistant and the last of the three to get a crack at coaching the team here. "We thought that the substitutions … gave us the right lineup and put us in the best position at the end of a close game. It worked."

Ulis was one of four Cats who scored in double figures. Freshman Devin Booker, who shook off his shooting slump and buried a pair of 3-pointers, had 10 points. Sophomore point guard Andrew Harrison had 11 points and seven assists, while his twin Aaron canned three 3-pointers and led UK with 15 points.

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University of Kentucky's Andrew Harrison slips a pass through to Dakari Johnson during the team's exhibition game in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Dana Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Dana Fritz, Special to the C-J

University of Kentucky's Andrew Harrison dribbles past Lionel Chalmers during the team's exhibition game in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Dana Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Dana Fritz, Special to the C-J

University of Kentucky freshman Karl-Anthony Towns looks to pass during the team's exhibition game in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Dana Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Dana Fritz, Special to the C-J

University of Kentucky assistant coach Barry Rohrssen is seen on the sidelines during the team's exhibition game in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Dana Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Dana Fritz, Special to the C-J

University of Kentucky freshman Devin Booker scores on a three-pointer during the team's exhibition game in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Dana Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Dana Fritz, Special to the C-J

University of Kentucky's Dakari Johnson goes up for a score against Chalone-Reims of France at the team's exhibition game in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the C-J

University of Kentucky's Marcus Lee dunks the ball during the team's exhibition game against Chalone-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the C-J

University of Kentucky's Andrew Harrison scores during the team's exhibition game in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the C-J

University of Kentucky's Derek Willis dunks the ball during the team's exhibition game against Chalone-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the C-J

University of Kentucky freshman Tyler Ulis looks to pass during the team's exhibition game in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the C-J

University of Kentucky's Andrew Harrison defends against Lesca Remi during the team's exhibition game against Chalone-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the C-J

University of Kentucky freshman Devin Booker defends against Guy Edi during the team's exhibition game against Chalone-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the C-J

University of Kentucky's Derek Willis drives for a score during the team's exhibition game in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the C-J

University of Kentucky's Dakari Johnson contests the ball with Michel Morandais during the team's exhibition game in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the C-J

University of Kentucky's Aaron Harrison takes a foul to the face by Tasmin Mitchell during the team's exhibition game in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the C-J

University of Kentucky freshman Karl-Anthony Towns looks to score against Gary Florimont during the team's exhibition game against Chalone-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the C-J

University of Kentucky freshman Tyler Ulis celebrates with teammate Andrew Harrison scores after his steal and score late in the game during the team's exhibition game in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the C-J

University of Kentucky freshman Tyler Ulis scores after stealing the ball from Lionel Chalmers late in the game during the team's exhibition game in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the C-J

University of Kentucky freshman Tyler Ulis steals the ball from Lionel Chalmers late in the game during the team's exhibition game in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the C-J

University of Kentucky's Aaron Harrison playfully argues a call with referee Brent Hampton during a timeout during the team's exhibition game in Nassau, Bahamas, August 16, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the Courier-Journal.
Photo by Drew Fritz, Special to the C-J

Junior forward Alex Poythress had his first quiet game of the trip: four points, four rebounds, two steals and a block in 21 minutes. The Cats coughed up eight first-half turnovers and trailed by one at the break despite shooting 56 percent, because the French team shot 73 percent, largely on uncontested layups.

Syracuse alum Darryl Watkins, a 6-11, 260-pound 29-year-old and one of seven former Division I players on the French roster, bulldozed his way to 20 points on 9-of-10 shooting against Kentucky. The Cats were down 55-54 with 14:30 to go in the game before a 9-0 run – highlighted by a Ulis 3-pointer – put them back ahead for good.

Fatigue and even disinterest might've been factors as the Wildcats won their first four games in the Bahamas by an average of 24 points. This was also their fifth game in seven days. The trip wraps up with a rematch against the Dominican Republic National Team on Sunday.

"It is a lot of games in a very short period of time for us, but there's a reason why this trip is set up the way it is," Rohrssen said. "We knew before we got on that plane that we had six games to play, so there aren't going to be any excuses on our part. Excuses are just bricks that build a road to failure. We're not laying those bricks down right now."

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University of Kentucky head coach John Calipari took a turn manning the ESPNU tv camera during the team's exhibition game against Chalons-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 11, 2014. Photo by Dana Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal
Photo by Dana Fritz/Special to t

University of Kentucky assistant coach Kenny Payne took over as head coach during the team's exhibition game against Chalons-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 11, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal
Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to t

University of Kentucky assistant coach Kenny Payne took over as head coach during the team's exhibition game against Chalons-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 11, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal
Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to t

University of Kentucky's Alex Poythress ties up an opponent during the team's exhibition game against Chalons-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 11, 2014. The play ended up in a jump ball. Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal
Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal

University of Kentucky's Tyler Ulis brings the ball up court during the team's exhibition game against Chalons-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 11, 2014. The play ended up in a jump ball. Photo by Dana Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal
Photo by Dana Fritz/Special to t

University of Kentucky guard Aaron Harrison drives past an opponent during the team's exhibition game against Chalons-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 11, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal
Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal

University of Kentucky guard Tyler Ulis looks to pass during the team's exhibition game against Chalons-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 11, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal
Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to t

University of Kentucky guard Andrew Harrison drives past an opponent during the team's exhibition game against Chalons-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 11, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal
Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal

University of Kentucky center Dakari Johson goes up for a shot against Darryl Watkins during the team's exhibition game against Chalons-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 11, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal
Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal

University of Kentucky guard Aaron Harrison dunks over Guy Edi during the team's exhibition game against Chalons-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 11, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal
Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal

University of Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns shoots over Darryl Watkins during the team's exhibition game against Chalons-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 11, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal
Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal

University of Kentucky assistant coach Kenny Payne and Karl-Anthony Towns converse during the team's exhibition game against Chalons-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 11, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal
Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to t

University of Kentucky forward Alex Poythress takes an elbow to the nose during the team's exhibition game against Chalons-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 11, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal
Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal

University of Kentucky freshman Karl-Anthony Towns takes a shot during the team's exhibition game against Chalons-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 11, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal
Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to t

University of Kentucky head coach John Calipari relaxes during the team's exhibition game against Chalons-Reims of France in Nassau, Bahamas, August 11, 2014. Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to the Courier Journal
Photo by Drew Fritz/Special to t